Related Articles

Trade shows offer an excellent opportunity to establish contacts and make sales, as they bring vendors and prospects together under one roof. The challenge for vendors is to find the best ways to maximize sales from the event. By implementing a few sales ideas, you can attract more people to your booth and put more money in your pocket.

Have a Giveaway

A giveaway will give attendees a reason to stop at your booth. Promote the giveaway by posting a big sign or display in your booth and at other locations on the floor if possible, and announce the giveaway over the public address system. Require attendees to enter by stopping your booth and placing their business card into a bowl for a drawing.

Use Handouts

At a large trade show, the attendees may not always have time to stop at each booth. Keep a large supply of brochures or other professionally-made materials to give to attendees who are just passing by. Be sure to attach your business card or contact information.

Use Demos

Demonstrate your product to increase interest. A demonstration will not only attract attention but will also let attendees see your product in action so they can get a better understanding of its benefits. For example, if you're selling the world's sharpest knife, show how it can cut through objects like aluminum cans. If you're selling a food product, have plenty of free samples on hand.

Contact Leads

Attendees may be interested in your product but may not be able or willing to purchase on the spot for a variety of reasons, such as it's not the right season or a temporary cash flow issue. Be sure to obtain business cards from these people and write on the back a date for contact. When the show is over, set up a follow-up system.

Use Displays or Visuals

Make your booth stand out by creating eye-catching displays or visuals. If your trade show has a theme, take full advantage of the theme's concept when designing your booth. For example, if the trade show's theme is the start of football season, you can set up a giant balloon football player, or make your booth into a mini football field, complete with green carpet and goalposts.